Singapore Maintains Position as Asia-Pacific’s Least Corrupt Nation, Ranks Third Globally
Singapore has retained its standing as the third least corrupt country in the world for the second consecutive year, according to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (TI-CPI) released by Transparency International on .
The city-state also continues to be recognized as the least corrupt nation within the Asia Pacific region, maintaining a score of 84 points on the index. This marks the second year in a row Singapore has achieved this dual recognition.
Since the index was first published in 1995, Singapore remains the sole Asian country consistently placed within the top 10 globally. The country’s performance has fluctuated in recent years, ranking fifth in both 2022 and 2023, fourth in 2019 and 2021 and achieving third place in 2024, 2018, and 2020.
The TI-CPI ranks 182 countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, utilizing a scale where 0 represents highly corrupt and 100 signifies very clean. The 2025 index is based on 13 expert assessments and business surveys.
According to a press release issued by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on , Singapore’s corruption situation remains “firmly under control,” evidenced by a consistently low number of public sector corruption cases.
“The public perception surveys conducted by the CPIB show strong public support and confidence in the country’s corruption control efforts,” the CPIB stated.
The bureau attributes Singapore’s success in the 2025 TI-CPI to “robust legislations, effective enforcement, and a vigilant society united by a shared commitment to integrity.”
“This zero-tolerance towards corruption and collective determination to do the right thing remain the cornerstone of Singapore’s enduring reputation as a clean and corrupt-free nation,” the CPIB added.
Further bolstering Singapore’s reputation, the country secured the top ranking out of 16 economies in the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy’s 2025 report on corruption in Asia, the US, and Australia. Singapore placed second globally out of 143 countries, and first in Asia, for absence of corruption in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2025.
Denmark topped the overall 2025 index with a score of 89, maintaining its position as the least corrupt country for the eighth consecutive year. Finland followed with a score of 88, while New Zealand and Norway tied for fifth place with a score of 81, and Sweden scored 80.
The TI-CPI highlights a significant contrast between nations with strong, independent institutions and free, fair elections, and those characterized by repressive authoritarian regimes. The report indicates that full democracies average a CPI score of 73, while flawed democracies average 47, and non-democratic regimes average just 33.
